y until after
noon. And at the last they heard a great weeping and a great noise down
in a manor. Sir, said then Sir Safere, let us wit what noise this is.
I will well, said Sir Palomides. And so they rode forth till that they
came to a fair gate of a manor, and there sat an old man saying his
prayers and beads. Then Sir Palomides and Sir Safere alighted and left
their horses, and went within the gates, and there they saw full many
goodly men weeping. Fair sirs, said Palomides, wherefore weep ye and
make this sorrow? Anon one of the knights of the castle beheld Sir
Palomides and knew him, and then went to his fellows and said: Fair
fellows, wit ye well all, we have in this castle the same knight that
slew our lord at Lonazep, for I know him well; it is Sir Palomides. Then
they went unto harness, all that might bear harness, some on horseback
and some on foot, to the number of three score. And when they were ready
they came freshly upon Sir Palomides and upon Sir Safere with a great
noise, and said thus: Keep thee, Sir Palomides, for thou art known, and
by right thou must be dead, for thou hast slain our lord; and therefore
wit ye well we will slay thee, therefore defend thee.

Then Sir Palomides and Sir Safere, the one set his back to the other,
and gave many great strokes, and took many great strokes; and thus they
fought with a twenty knights and forty gentlemen and yeomen nigh two
hours. But at the last though they were loath, Sir Palomides and Sir
Safere were taken and yolden, and put in a strong prison; and within
three days twelve knights passed upon them, and they found Sir Palomides
guilty, and Sir Safere not guilty, of their lord's death. And when Sir
Safere should be delivered there was great dole betwixt Sir Palomides
and him, and many piteous complaints that Sir Safere made at his
departing, there is no maker can rehearse the tenth part. Fair brother,
said Palomides, let be thy dolour and thy sorrow. And if I be ordained
to die a shameful death, welcome be it; but an I had wist of this death
that I am deemed unto, I should never have been yolden. So Sir Safere
departed from his brother with the greatest dolour and sorrow that ever
made knight.

And on the morn they of the castle ordained twelve knights to ride with
Sir Palomides unto the father of the same knight that Sir Palomides
slew; and so they bound his legs under an old steed's belly. And then
they rode with Sir Palomides unto a castle by the seaside